"We are testing a way for all people who have connected their Instagram account to Facebook to inform them about functions that are only available there. These include job search, online dating, buying and selling items or reading the latest news. " - a spokesman said in a statement.
It is not the first time that Facebook has used Instagram to fight for user return. Most recently, for example, the messengers of both apps were merged. So far, the advertisements are only visible to a very small group of users. Facebook is initially focusing on all those who recently decided to link to their Instagram account. The news can also be easily hidden.
Last year, after the book release of "No Filter", reports circulated on the Internet that Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg was jealous of the success of Instagram and was worried that the app could also "cannibalize" Facebook. Disputes between him and the Instagram founders led to Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger's departure in 2018.
via Engadget
Instagram’s latest test is… telling people about the Facebook app
Instagram is running a new test to tell users about another app they might want to check out: Facebook. The photo sharing app is experimenting with a notice at the top of users’ feeds that encourages them to check out features that are “only available” on Facebook.
“We’re testing a way to let people who have connected their Instagram accounts to Facebook know about features only available there, such as how to find a job, date online, buy and sell goods, or catch up on the latest news,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
That the company is using one of its billion-user apps to promote another billion-user app might not seem to make a lot of sense, but it’s only the latest (and perhaps most aggressive) way the social network has used Instagram to drive people back to its main app. The company has been steadily bringing the two apps closer together and has been encouraging users to link their accounts. (A book published last year reported that Mark Zuckerberg was “jealous” of Instagram’s success and worried the app could eventually “cannibalize” Facebook. Tensions between him and the app’s founders ultimately led to their departure in 2018.)
Facebook points out that only “a very small group” of Instagram users who have previously opted to link their accounts will see the messages, which can be dismissed. But even if it never expands, it would suggest that the company is far from done with its attempts to get Instagram users to spend more time on Facebook.